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Departure Institute Inc

EIN 83-1250262 · Atlanta, GA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DEPARTURE INSTITUTE, AN ATLANTA BASED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT FOUNDED IN 2018 IS DEDICATED TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATION. THE INSTITUTE'S GOAL OF "SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH THE PRESERVATION OF THE PAST" IS REALIZED THROUGH A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES AND EVENTS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE RAIL TRAVEL HAS HAD ON SHAPING THE COUNTRY BY CONNECTING IDEAS, ADVANCEMENTS AND EXPERIENCE. WE BELIEVE IF WALLS COULD TALK, SOCIETY WOULD BE MORE TOLERANT. HISTORY CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH THEIR HERITAGE, FOSTERING A CULTURE THAT CELEBRATES PROGRESS, ART AND DIVERSITY. THERE ARE CULTURAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ALL OF WHICH ARE INTERCONNECTED. HISTORIC BUILDINGS LEND COMMUNITIES UNIQUE CHARACTER AND HELP ENSURE A MEANINGFUL LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$17,436
Spending
$21,173
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
-1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    2 of 2 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $21,173 spent. THE PULLMAN YARD IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF OUR NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL HISTORY, SERVING AS A TESTAMENT TO THE NATIONS RAILROAD HISTORY AND TO THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY AFRICAN AMERICAN RAIL WORKERS WHO SERVED AS PULLMAN PORTERS. THE PULLMAN YARD MUSEUM WILL BE RAISING FUNDS TO CREATE AN EXHIBIT FEATURING THE HISTORY OF THE PULLMAN PORTERS AND THE DESCENDANTS OF PORTERS, THEIR IMPACT ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND THAT MOVEMENTS IMPACT ON THE NATION AND THE WORLD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.